If you are looking for a San Jose plumbing contractor for residential or commercial plumbing, spending a little bit of time researching to find a high quality contractor can save you significant time and headaches during and after your project.

Here are some guidelines that will help you find an excellent plumber.

Check the San Jose Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Scan the website and look at the reviews to see which San Jose plumbing contractors get top reviews and which ones have had issues. You’ll want to pay special attention to plumbing companies that have had complaints filed against them. Obviously, this is a huge red flag if a company has a history of problems severe enough to require a complaint.

A company in the BBB must provide high quality services otherwise they will not be allowed to remain part of the BBB. If a bay area plumbing company has complaints against them they are obligated to fix the problem or their ranking will be impacted.

Look For Other Business Associations

Is the San Jose plumbing contractor part of a business network such as BNI or LeTip? Companies that participate in these types of business networking organizations are generally top notch and an important part of their business is referrals so they have a focus on quality and fair prices.

Check Local Reviews

There is a wealth of information available online to help you find a great plumbing contractor. Take a look at local review sites such as TrustLink (BBB associated), Yelp, Angies List, etc. to see what experiences other people have had with this plumbing contractor. The more reviews the better, as long as a high percentage of the reviews have a high rating.

Check Out Their Website

After checking out their online reputation, now take a look at their website. Is it professional looking? Do they have pictures of the staff and their trucks and equipment? Do they have a publicly stated guarantee? Are they licensed by the state? Are they bonded and insured? Do they show what types of payment they accept? Do they have any online specials or coupons?

Ask Questions

After you have found a San Jose plumbing contractor that looks good based on your online research, now it’s time to pick up the phone and give them a call and ask a few questions.

Do they answer the phone or do you have to leave a message? How long is it before they return your call if you have to leave a message.

When you talk to them, there are 2 important things you want to find out. First, ask about pricing. Find out what their hourly rates are and what they charge for plumbing parts. All of their rates should be straightforward and upfront. Make sure there are no hidden fees.

Second, make sure the staff is knowledgeable. Ask as many questions as you can and see if they are willing and able to assist you with any problems you are having.

If you follow these suggestions, you should have no trouble finding a reputable San Jose plumbing contractor.

Rob Dobkins
New Pipes Now – San Jose’s Premiere Plumbing Company
408-269-1969

When selecting a plumbing contractor or HVAC specialist for a residential or commercial project it is important to take the time up front and thoroughly check out the contractor. Otherwise, you could end up with a nightmare on your hands and many sleepless nights.

Here are a few things to do to maximize your chance of having a great experience with the plumbing or hvac contractor on your project:

1. Contact the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to check the status of the contractor’s license. You can contact the CSLB at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752) or visit their website: www.cslb.ca.gov. This step does not take long and can save you much sorrow down the road.

2. Make sure you get at least 3 local references from the contractor. If the contractor has a long list of references, that is an excellent sign. Call all 3 references and listen carefully for any hesitancy to provide a glowing testimonial for the contractor. Ask what went well and what could have gone better.

3. Make sure the contractor will obtain any necessary permits before the work starts. This is essential. If the contractor does not want to obtain required permits run the other way as fast as you can!

These 3 activities do not take long and can be the difference between a successful, hassle free plumbing or hvac project and a stressful experience.